Bailey, center, a Labradoodle owned by Michelle Gunselman, runs with her ball and other dogs recently at Shiloh Hills Park. The dogs and their owners will have to find another place to play since Spring Township started enforcing a no-dogs policy at its 14 parks.

Lesher said that in less than a week at least 10 people have emailed her to express the same sentiment: "We are so upset."

Spring Township resident Lisa Stettler, 52, has two border collies she walks at the park.

"What a disappointment to see that sign telling us we are no longer welcome," she said.

But according to Spring Township Parks Manager Judy Houck, an ordinance written in the 1970s states that dogs aren't allowed at any township park. She acknowledged that most people didn't realize until the sign was installed Jan. 10 that they couldn't bring dogs to Shiloh Hills.

"It was put up because the police department can't enforce the rules if they're not posted," Houck explained.

Houck said identical signs were posted recently in each of Spring Township's 14 parks - an action that was overdue.

People bring their dogs to the parks and often don't clean up after them, Houck said. She said the township could be liable if a dog bit or otherwise harmed someone.

Gary Tompkins, 62, of Spring Township walks or runs with his papillon, Molly, almost every day. He said it's insane to close Shiloh Hills to dog walkers.

"In the two years I've been going there, it's unusual to see someone without their dog," he said.

Sherry Huey of Spring Township walked her pit-bull mix, Dasher, at the park every day until the new sign went up. She and Stettler, who often walked together, made a list of 50 dogs they would regularly see at the park.

Shiloh Hills will become a ghost park without the dog walkers, said Huey, 35.

The township opened the park with a plan to eventually put in a dog park, teen area with an in-line skating rink, a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, and baseball and soccer fields.

"Our tax dollars are going into that park, and we were kind of misled that the park would be pet-friendly," Huey said.

Houck said plans for the dog park were never abandoned. A lack of money has slowed its progress, she said, but the dog park is expected to be opened within five years.

Houck said she's received one email and two phone calls from township residents concerned about the dog restriction posted at Shiloh Hills. No one has called about the signs posted at the other parks.